Cable terminal device



Nov. 12, 1935. w. P. BovARD y CABLE TERMINAL DEVICE Filed Oct. ll, 19.34

n venfor )47u /f/M 30m w n w H A Patented Nov. 12, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CABLE TERMINAL DEVICE Application October 11, 1934, Serial No. 747,867

3 Claims.

My invention relates to cable pothead's and has particular reference to potheads used for bringing the terminals of buried signal wires to a convenient point above the surface of the ground whereby they may be connected to rails, signal apparatus, etc. In the present device I have incorporated moans whereby several cables may be brought from below ground and either connected together within the pothead and then brought to terminals exterior of the pothead standard or the several cables may be brought separately to the said terminals.

One of the features of my invention is that the connections to the terminals may be quickly made or broken when it is desired to test the various circuits.

My invention resides in the new and novel construction, combination and relation of the parts herein described and shown in the accompanying drawing.

In the drawing:-

Fig. 1 is a side view in elevation of my invention in partial section and the three cables are represented as terminating at the head.

Fig. 2 is a side view in elevation of the top p0rtion of Fig. 1 rotated 90.

Fig. 3 is a top view of Fig. 1 with the cover removed.

In the preferred embodiment of my invention I provide a standard I which may be of iron pipe and which has welded to the lower end a ground plate 2 which is located at a proper distance below the surface of the ground and covered with dirt or ballast and holds the pothead firmly in position.

The standard I is hollow and the ends of the cables C, C and C may be brought above the surface through the passage 3 of the standard I.

Mounted upon the standard at the upper ends thereof are one or more terminals T and T'. I e

have shown two terminals but there may conveniently be placed on the head as many as four terminals or, if the standard I is sulciently large in diameter, even more terminals may be employed which will accommodate a large number of connections. Y

The terminals comprise a headed bolt 4 and nut 5; the bolt passing radially through the side of the standard and is insulated therefrom by the bushing 6 of i'nsulating material. Slidably mounted upon the bolt 4 is a flange casting 'I which has a curved face 8 corresponding to the curvature of the surface of the standard and there is interposed between the standard and the flange I a washer 8 of insulating material.

Also mounted upon the bolt 4 1s an adjustable clamping member 9 of metal having projections I0 and II for engaging cables and clamping the same securely in the grooves I2 and I3 respectively of the flange 'I. The nut 5 functions to 5 draw the described parts together including the clamping of the cables or wires located in the grooves I2 and I3. A spring lock washer I4 may be used if desired.

The standard I is provided with insulating bushing outlets I5 through which the conductors I 6 and II of the cables C and C respectively may be brought in order that they may be positioned in the groove I3 for clamping by means of the member 9.

In the groove I2 I have shown cables B and B which are clamped in position by means of the member 9 and in electrical connection with the conductors I6 and II. The cables B and B may be connected to the rails or to signal apparatus, etc. as desired.

I have shown a cable C positioned in the passage of the standard I and its conductors are shown as electrically connected to the conductors I6 and I'I as by means of soldering and show a 25 modification from that of merely positioning the two cables in the standard I and connecting each to a terminal. The soldered joint may have substituted therefor a mechanical clamp of any of the suitable well-known types. 30

After the installation of the device and cables a portion of the interior of the standard may be filled with sand if desired and on top of the sand may be poured asphaltum I8 to act as a seal. 35 The upper end of the standard I is closed by a cap I9 held in position by the bolts or other means 20 which may be threaded into the standard.

Modifications` will be apparent to those skilled in the art based on the above disclosure and, 40 therefore, I wish to be limited only by my claims.

I claim:-

l. A cable outlet comprising in combination, an elongated hollow standard having a passage therethrough to receive an underground cable and projecting means at one end to anchor the pothead in position in the ground, one or more openings through the side of the standard near the opposite end from the projecting means, a headed stud extending through the opening with the head within the standard and a washer mounted on the stud external of the standard, insulating means interposed between the standard and the stud and washer, a clamping member on the stud to cooperate with the washer to grip and hold conductors therebetween, means on the stud to move the clamping member towards the washer to grip the conductors and simultaneously draw the insulating means into intimate relation to the stud, the Washer and the side walls of the standard, other openings through the side of the standard through which the end of the conductor may be brought, a cover for the open end of the standard arranged to overlap the end face and means to detachably secure the cover in position.

2. A cable outlet comprising in combination, an elongated hollow standard having a passage therethrough and through which may pass undei-'ground conductors, an anchor at one end of the standard to hold the standard in position in the ground and one or more transverse openings through the side of the standard adjacent the other end, exposed conductor terminals on the exterior of the standard and insulated therefrom and comprising a headed stud projecting through each opening with the head Within the standard passage, a washer on the stud external of the standard and insulating means between the standard and the stud and washer to insulate the stud and washer from the standard, means on the stud to cooperate with the washer to clamp a conductor therebetween and draw the insulating means into close contact with the standard Walls, an opening through the side of the standard adjacent the last said end and through which the conductor may pass from within the standard, insulating bushings between the standard and conductor where it passes through the standard and detachable means to close the end of the standard adjacent the conductor clamping means.

3. A cable outlet comprising in combination, an elongated hollow standard having a passage therethrough to receive an underground cable and projecting means at one end to anchor the pothead in position in the ground a. cover to en tirely enclose the open end of the standard arranged to overlap the end face and means to detachably secure the cover in position, one or more openings through the side of the standard near the opposite end from the projecting means, terminal means for conductors exterior of the standard comprising a stud extending through the opening and a washer mounted on the stud external of the standard, insulating means interposed between the standard and the stud and washer, a clamping member on the stud to cooperate with the washer to grip and hold conductors therebetween and means on the stud to move the clamping member towards the washer to grip the conductors without displacing the cover.

WILLIAM P. BOVARD. 

